Presentation Schedule
Nurturing Positive Intercultural and Interpersonal Relationships Through an Empathy Map (94892)
Session Chair: Vicente Villan
Friday, 13 June 2025 10:20
Session: Session 1
Room: Room 116 (1F)
Presentation Type:Oral Presentation
In today’s globally interconnected yet politically and socially polarized world, fostering mutual understanding and respect is essential for building constructive intercultural and interpersonal relationships. This presentation explores the potential of a modified Empathy Map as an effective tool for achieving these goals, using Intermediate and Advanced Japanese classes as case studies. Before engaging with the Empathy Map, students watch videos, read articles, and participate in group discussions to deepen their understanding of relevant topics. To support comprehension, AI-generated visuals are used to illustrate each side’s circumstances. For example, in Advanced Japanese I, students examine Japan’s growing population of asylum seekers and refugees, as well as tensions between local residents and foreign communities. Once students grasp the core issues, they engage in group discussions. Synchronous discussions allow students to use English if necessary to fully express their thoughts and opinions, followed by asynchronous discussions conducted exclusively in Japanese. They also reflect on similar situations in their own societies to enhance their global awareness. Students then complete the Empathy Map by imagining and documenting what each side might feel, think, say, and do under the given circumstances. They also reflect on whether they can understand different perspectives and consider possible solutions for coexistence within the same community. Post-activity surveys indicate that these exercises have the potential to help students develop perspective-taking skills and foster mutual understanding, ultimately contributing to more constructive intercultural and interpersonal relationships.
Authors:
Kumiko Tsuji, Northeastern University, United States
About the Presenter(s)
Dr Kumiko Tsuji is a University Professor/Principal Lecturer at Northeastern University in United States
See this presentation on the full schedule – Friday Schedule
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